MIHS Orchestra wins top two awards at Vancouver festival

The Mercer Island High School Orchestra received two awards for excellence at the recent World Strides Heritage Festival in Vancouver, B.C.

The MIHS orchestra and winds from the band participated in the orchestra program’s annual performance tour. The students participated in clinics in Vancouver as well at Western Washington University’s music department. The orchestra also gave an afternoon performance at a Vancouver-area retirement home.

The traveling Orchestra won two awards, first place for a full orchestra in its school division and one of only four Adjudicator’s Awards, singling the orchestra out for outstanding tonality and interpretation. Nathan Wacker, bass player and graduating senior, won the Ovation Award for his dedication to his music, school and community.

Students honored for video in Holocaust Writing, Art and Film Contest

Mercer Island High School students Ellie Gottesman and Isabel Funk received an Honorable Mention in the film category in the Holocaust Writing, Art and Film Contest sponsored by the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle.

Their winning entry was a video detailing recent anti-Semitism on Mercer Island and elsewhere, including the threat to the Stroum Jewish Community Center earlier this year.

Watch the video on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE3_SBDVXFU.

The contest received over 900 entries from over 70 schools throughout the state.

“My congratulations to Ellie and Isabel for their notable accomplishment,” said Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano. “They and their teacher Chris Twombley are to be commended for their positive spirit and willingness to believe in the power of transformation of human nature.”